Zayed University · Abu Dhabi, UAE

Pioneering
Human-Centric
AI & Genuine
Sustainability

An interdisciplinary research group redefining the relationship between artificial intelligence, humans, and sustainability — creating solutions that honor both human dignity and planetary health.

Our Mission

Greening AI for a
Sustainable Future

We bring together cutting-edge AI technologies, human-centric software engineering, and sustainability sciences to create solutions that honor both human dignity and planetary health.

Human-Centered Engineering

Developing AI technologies that prioritize human well-being, ethical values, and enhance decision-making capabilities across communities.

Genuine Sustainability

Integrating social, environmental, and technological dimensions to create lasting ecological balance and resilient AI-powered systems.

Actionable AI Solutions

Transforming research ideas and proof of concepts into practical interventions that address pressing global challenges from climate change to food security.

Meet Our Team

Visionaries &
Tech Innovators

Our team bridges the silos of departments and colleges, bringing together world-class experts in sustainability, AI, ecology, and social science. United by a passion for sustainability innovation through design thinking and human-centric engineering, we're creating the future of human-centric AI technology.

We use today's Gen AI and LMM to create AI-powered systems for today's sustainability challenges — and use those AI systems to think the next generation of AI algorithms (AI for AI).

Meet all people
Sustainability Sciences
Human-Computer Interaction
Computational Biology
Machine Learning
Ecology & Biodiversity
AI Ethics
Social Science
Software Engineering
Breakthrough Projects

From Research Ideas
to Impactful Solutions

Our projects demonstrate how advanced AI models can address SDG challenges. Each initiative combines rigorous science with practical application.

01

E-Waste & Recycling

Predictive AI models and automated sorting systems analyzing material composition and toxicity levels to optimize electronic waste processing, creating circular supply chains that extract maximum value from discarded electronics.

02

Precision Agriculture & Food Security

AI-powered simulations, IoT sensors, and satellite imagery guiding farmers to optimize crop yields, predict harvest cycles, and manage irrigation efficiency while conserving water and maintaining soil health.

03

Circular Economy & Industrial Symbiosis

Production and consumption systems where waste from one process becomes input for another — material flow optimization, product lifecycle extension, and closed-loop manufacturing to minimize resource extraction.

04

Urban Living & Digital Well-Being

Sensor-integrated environments and IoT networks monitoring air quality, noise levels, and social connectivity to help city planners design neighborhoods that enhance mental health and community engagement.

05

Humanitarian & Disaster Rescue

Real-time mapping systems, satellite imagery, drone networks, and predictive analytics enabling relief organizations to rapidly assess damage, locate survivors, and coordinate resource distribution in disaster zones.

06

Climate-Responsive Urban Design

Designing and retrofitting cities with nature-based solutions, heat island mitigation, flood-resistant infrastructure, and smart building technologies that dynamically adjust to environmental conditions.

Research Focus

Where AI Technology Meets
Real-World Needs

Each focus area represents a frontier where computational innovation can drive meaningful change in how we live, grow, and thrive on our planet.

Human-Centric AI Solutions

Designing intelligent systems that augment human capabilities, respect ethical boundaries, and enhance decision-making. Our AI frameworks prioritize transparency and human agency.

Environmental Modeling, SDG & ESG

Leveraging advanced machine learning to decode ecosystem dynamics, predict environmental changes, and guide conservation strategies with unprecedented accuracy.

Sustainable Urban Living

Creating innovative smart city solutions that dramatically reduce carbon footprints while improving quality of life through intelligent resource management and urban design.

Green & Responsible AI

Integrating AI with biological data science to make ICT and AI green, including greening human-centric software development and innovation practices.

Partnerships & Collaborations

Expanding
Our Impact

Symbio Living Lab thrives through strategic partnerships that bridge academia, industry, and policy. Our collaborative ecosystem multiplies research impact, creating pathways from discovery to implementation across sectors and geographies.

Academic Institutions

Joint research initiatives with leading universities worldwide, fostering knowledge exchange and training the next generation of sustainability scientists.

Industry Partners

Collaborations with forward-thinking companies to translate research breakthroughs into scalable technologies and sustainable business practices.

Policy Engagement

Working with policymakers to ensure scientific insights shape evidence-based urban planning, health initiatives, and environmental regulations.

Collaboration Opportunities

  • Student internships and research placements
  • Visiting scholar programs
  • Joint grant applications
  • Industry-sponsored research projects
  • Policy consultation and advisory services
Publications & Knowledge Sharing

Committed to
Open Science

Our extensive publication record and open-access resources make cutting-edge research accessible to the global community, fostering collaboration and accelerating innovation.

100+
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Published in top-tier journals covering AI applications in biology, sustainability, and health sciences (2023–2025)
15+
Open Datasets
Publicly available datasets and code repositories promoting transparency and enabling reproducible research worldwide
50+
Educational Resources
Interactive virtual labs, tutorials, and inquiry-based learning modules in biology and environmental science

"Science advances fastest when knowledge flows freely. Our commitment to open access ensures that breakthrough discoveries benefit humanity as rapidly as possible."

Facilities & Technologies

AI-Powered
Living Lab

Our advanced Living Lab combines computational power with cutting-edge laboratory capabilities, creating an environment where ambitious research visions become reality.

UX Design Thinking & Physical Prototyping

Comprehensive human-centered design facility featuring eye-tracking systems, usability testing stations, rapid prototyping tools including 3D printers and laser cutters, physiological sensing equipment, and AI interaction evaluation platforms for full-cycle ideation through validation.

Immersive XR & Visualization

Advanced extended reality infrastructure including VR headsets, AR glasses (Microsoft HoloLens), motion tracking, haptic feedback, and large-scale interactive displays enabling multi-user collaborative data exploration and immersive 3D data visualization.

IoT, Cloud & Edge Computing

Integrated hierarchical computing architecture with heterogeneous IoT sensors connected to edge devices (NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi) for real-time AI inference. Cloud platforms provide scalable model training with carbon-aware scheduling and renewable energy integration.

Qualitative & Quantitative AI Research Tools

Architecture implementing model compression, quantization, and privacy-preserving techniques with continuous fairness monitoring, explainability tools, and audit logging for sustainable AI systems balancing performance with environmental responsibility and ethical governance.

Get Involved

Shape the Future
with Us

Whether you're a passionate researcher, student, or sustainability advocate, Symbio Living Lab offers exciting opportunities to contribute to transformative science. Join our vibrant community and help create technologies that serve both people and planet.

Open Positions

PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and research assistants passionate about AI and sustainability

Events & Workshops

Regular seminars, public lectures, and hands-on workshops connecting experts with enthusiasts

Together Towards a
Sustainable Tomorrow

Our research demonstrates that technology, guided by ethical principles and ecological wisdom, can help solve humanity's most pressing challenges.

Explore
Discover reshaping research
Collaborate
Amplify impact together
Innovate
Breakthrough research
Contact Us

"The technologies we create today will shape the world our children inherit. At Symbio Living Lab, we're ensuring that legacy is one of sustainability, equity, and hope."